WHAT TO WRITE, OR NOT TO WRITE? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

by Mary J. Williams

I grew up reading historical romances. I dreamt in terms of long haired heroines and heroes of another time—but with oddly modern views on women and relationships. These stories captured my adolescent imagination. I even grew my hair long like the women I secretly longed to switch places with.

Jump ahead. My life has changed, as have my dreams. Now, I think in terms of women in high powered jobs. Independent and able to make their own decisions without asking anyone’s permission. To me, that meant contemporary fiction. Romances involving strong women and the equally strong men who accept them for who they are. I left behind my dreams of past times around the same time I chopped off my waist length tresses.

Of course, deciding to write a contemporary romance did not mean my choices were limited. There is suspense. Thrillers. Magical settings and shape shifting protagonists.

Not to mention that shades of grey area.

Mark that off my list. Mind you, I like some heat. My characters get naked on more than one occasion. However, I find ropes, handcuffs, and whips more giggle worthy than sexy. Not that I’m judging. If it’s your thing, I’ll be the first to stand up and defend your right to all the kink your heart desires.

As a writer, it simply isn’t for me.

As I said, I like strong women. They aren’t always that way when the book starts. The first book in my Hollywood Legends series deals with a woman who is finding her voice for the first time. She grew up with an emotional abusive father. Then married a man who beat her and almost killed her. As the book progresses, Jade finds something inside of herself she hadn’t known she possessed. An inner core of strength. And, naturally, she finds the love of her life.

But the men in my books are not saviors. The women don’t need—or want—to be rescued. My woman may start out as a victim, but she never ends that way.

I soon realized that I write about the kind of woman I want to be. I want young women who read my books to be inspired. I want women my age to realize it’s never too late to take charge of your life. But most of all? I want to write a damn good story. One that keeps you turning the pages until the very end and sticks with you long after you’ve finished.

Have I reached my goal? That isn’t up to me to say. Am I happy with what I write? Oh, yes. I am living my dream. And I wake up tomorrow longing for heroes on horses and heroines in petticoats? I can live with that. Because when it comes right down to it? It’s really all about the happy ending.

If you find you want to read about my kind of romance you can check out my books on my website.

Mary J. Williams

It Has Always Been My Dream To Write A Book

And I always knew it would be a romance novel. When I was a
teenager I assumed my book would have a historical setting,
those were the kinds of stories I liked best, I even grew my
hair long so I could be like the heroines in my favorite
stories. But now I see myself and my books in the present
dealing with the joys and sorrows of our modern world.
Harper Falls is a place my imagination dreamed up, but it is
based in reality. I grew up in Washington State and went to
school in a small town on the Columbia River. Harper Falls
is that town but an idealized version. I hope you enjoy
reading about the town and the characters.

And as much as I enjoyed telling their stories, these books
are not the end of my dream but the beginning.

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